How to Get Rid of a Headache Without Medicine
Headaches are common ailments. It is common to hear someone complaining of a headache. Did you know that you could relieve a headache without taking a single pill?
Of course, this has its limits because a headache might be an indication of an underlying problem. But in most cases, there are ways how to get rid of a headache without medicine.
Types of Headaches
How to Get Rid of a Headache Without Medicine: Different Types of Headaches
It is important to know the kind of headache you are suffering from. The various types of headaches include:
Tension Headache
Tension headaches are common and feel like a tightness across the forehead and dull pain. A tension headache is caused by stress. It occurs when your scalp and neck muscles contract or become tense.
Migraines
Migraines are intense throbbing in one area of the head and are caused by strong stimuli such as intense smells or bright lights, and can be caused by stress.
Cluster Headache
Cluster headaches manifest as intense pain behind the eyes and are caused by bright lights and stimuli.
Sinus Headaches
Sinus headaches manifest as pressure across the forehead, eyes, and cheeks. This indicates sinus or nasal congestion and is a sign of infection in the sinuses.
How to Get Rid of a Headache Without Medicine at Home
Here are some simple techniques you can use at home for headache relief.
1. Water
How to Get Rid of a Headache Without Medicine: Step 1 Try Drinking Water
Drinking enough water can help to reduce the severity of your headaches or prevent them altogether.
Dehydration is an underlying cause of most headaches. Staying hydrated is not guaranteed to prevent headaches, but at least plays a big role in reducing how severe they are.
2. Cold or Warm Compress
A cold compress can work wonders for a headache. Apply an ice pack or anything cold to the neck or head to help reduce inflammation or constrict blood vessels.
For a tension headache, where the muscles become tight, a warm compress helps to relax the muscles and relieve the headache. A warm compress can be anything like a heated towel. You can also substitute the warm compress and take a hot bath or shower.
3. Dim the lights
If you have a headache, you may sometimes be very sensitive to bright light. Bright lights at home or in the office or smartphone may make it worse. It helps to lie in a dark room or dim the lights until you recover.
4. Relieve any Physical Pressure on Your Head
Sometimes, a headache can be caused by physical reasons. Check if you have anything applying pressure on your head like buns, ponytails, headbands, or hats that have been on your head too long.
5. Try Herbal Tea
Herbal Tea can be a Good Method to Get Rid of a Headache Without Medicine
Drinking herbal tea is an excellent way to rehydrate and it gives you the added benefits of natural compounds in the tea.
Ginger tea is excellent for migraines, and a mug of warm water and ginger may relieve the headache. Other herbal tea types include chamomile, peppermint, and lavender.
6. Avoid Food with High Histamine Content
Certain Lifestyle Changes can be Essential for How to Get Rid of a Headache Without Medicine
Histamine is a naturally occurring chemical in our bodies and has roles to play in our nervous, digestive, and immune systems. It naturally occurs in fermented food, aged cheese, wine, cured meats, and smoked fish.
If you consume foods with histamine and your body cannot excrete histamine, you may get migraines. Cut off histamine-rich foods from your diet if you get frequent headaches.
7. Try Essential Oils
Essential oils are concentrated oils containing aromatic compounds from various plants. These oils have numerous therapeutic benefits and you can either ingest them or use them topically.
Lavender and Peppermint essential oils are known to be helpful with headaches. The application of peppermint oil to your temples reduces tension headache symptoms.
Lavender is especially effective in the reduction of migraines and other associated symptoms if you apply it to the upper lip and inhale.
8. Acupuncture
Acupuncture originates from Ancient Chinese medicine and involves the insertion of thin needles into your skin for stimulation of specific body points.
Many studies have shown that this practice works in reducing headache symptoms.
9 Practice Yoga
Yoga is an excellent stress reliever, decreases pain, increases your flexibility, and improves your life quality. Practicing yoga can help to reduce the frequency and severity of your headaches.
10. Avoid Strong Smells
Strong smells such as cleaning products and strong perfumes can cause the onset of headaches in some people. The hypersensitivity to strong smells is called osmophobia. It is common in people who suffer from chronic migraines.
If you are sensitive to odors, avoiding cigarette smoke, perfumes, and scented foods helps you to decrease any chances of developing migraines.
Conclusion
Most people suffer from headaches, think nothing of them, and take a painkiller to relieve the pain. Often, you do not need to take medication for simple headaches such as tension headaches.
You can try these simple techniques to try and reduce the headache symptoms. If none of these work and the headache persists, consult your physician in case the headache is a symptom of an underlying condition.
